Available in both standard and deluxe versions the Makocraft 610 Trophy Console is an alloy fishing boat that offers strength, lots of freeboard, a good ride and room for 4-6 anglers.

Makocraft put together strong fishing rigs and the 610 Trophy Console is no exception. A look along the sides when standing aboard reveals no less than 13 cross-bracing ribs traversing the hull. The gunwale tops are wide enough to sit on and the braces on their undersides mean there is no buzz or vibration when travelling in bumpy conditions. The hull has a 4mm plate on the bottom and 3mm on the sides, which also contributes to the craft’s overall rigidity.

I reviewed the standard model Trophy Console with a 115 Mercury 2-stroke outboard. The standard version is more of a work boat than its deluxe stable mate, but has been fitted with some useful features including the large anchor well tucked behind the strong bow sprit. A split bow rail offers some security while up front, as well as making it easier to control the craft when leading onto a trailer in less than ideal weather or tide conditions.

FOLDING WINDSCREEN A BONUS

The 610 Makocraft was set up with a carpeted floor, which seems to be an industry standard these days, but a plain floor option is still available. The rig’s centre console was set up forward of the hull’s halfway mark. The console sports a centre shelf with retaining lip and a forward folding windscreen. The windscreen is a great idea for easy home storage.

The wheel linked to non-feedback steering was set centrally on the flat area of the console. A tacho and speedo for the Mercury 2-stroke were set into the hinged upright section. A handy compartment for personal items is also set up to port in the upright section. The strong grab rail around the console’s upper section is a ‘must have’ for offshore or bumpy bay work. There is plenty of room for fish finders in the console, which are essential in a good fishing boat. Forward controls for the Mercury and a set of waterproof switches were set up on the console’s starboard side. These were easily managed while standing to drive.

No seats were fitted to the reviewed rig but several seating options are available including the popular icebox with fore/aft facing bolster backrest design.

HUGE WORK SPACE AFT

The large floor area aft of the centre console was spacious enough for four anglers to fish easily. Large twin side pockets were useful, and I liked that anglers can brace themselves there when playing a fish. A full width off-floor rear shelf that housed the engine battery and lots of extra storage space was set below the gunwhale height transom. You can reverse this boat hard in good sea conditions and there is not much chance of water coming aboard.

Corner grab rails extend onto the aft swim platform and the engine is mounted on a raised central section of the swim platform. This helps to keep most of the engine noise well below the high transom.

STORAGE

Storage room within centre console craft is nearly always at a premium. The 610 Makocraft’s the main storage areas were within the console, the side pockets and the full width aft off-floor transom shelf. PFDs and other safety gear can be stored in the transom area with other items in the console.

FISHABILITY

There is a lot of fishing room aboard this craft which is always a big plus with centre console style craft. The Makocraft offers more than just space to work as it is also very stable. The 2.4m beam and thigh height sides made me feel very secure. The 120L fuel tank is centrally set along the hull that has a 12 vee, solid bottom strakes and a neat reversed chine on the water line. Even with two people on one side the hull hardly leans at all.

PERFORMANCE

The 610 Trophy Console is rated for engines up to 150hp. You might think that a 115hp could be a little small given the 550kg hull weight but this was not the case. Two up, the craft was responsive, well balanced, quick to respond to trim input and had plenty of power. With the throttle lever pushed forward the rig jumped onto the plane in a couple of boat lengths. The hull handled very well on our test runs in the Brisbane River and I was quietly surprised just how well the fairly shallow Vee hull dug into hard full lock turns at speed. That outer reversed chine would play a big part in this part of performance, as would the solid keel. The Trophy’s ride was good. Jumping wash from other craft caused only minimal jarring as there is enough Vee in the bow’s entry area to minimise impact very nicely.

marking the trophy

The 610 Makocraft Trophy Console is a rig with a lot of offshore, estuary and bay fishing potential. Finish is good, welds were visible but neat and the optional paint job was excellent. The standard version was strictly that: very standard, including an in-floor fuel fill set up. Factory options include items such as a transom bait station, bimini top, burley bucket, live well and side fuel filler plus gauge.